Database Users

how do open. Apk file?

Trying to edit bools.xml file to edit 4g text in status top bar to say lte instead of 4g
Thx
via my NeXus⁴ using XDA Phremium app

download and setup apktool then use this command to decompile it: apktool d name.apk
after your done editing it do this command to compile it: apktool b name
then use 7zip and replace the AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF in your new compiled apk with the ones from the original apk and you'll be good.

Bloodawn said:
download and setup apktool then use this command to decompile it: apktool d name.apk
after your done editing it do this command to compile it: apktool b name
then use 7zip and replace the AndroidManifest.xml and META-INF in your new compiled apk with the ones from the original apk and you'll be good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't APKTool not support 4.2.1?

What's really the difference in decompile and just dragging the files out with 7zip? I've tried decompiling before and it makes the same folder I would with all the stuff thats extracted with 7zip.. :/
Sent from my Nexus 4

[GUIDE]Deodex An Application

Hey Guys,
This is a small tutorial for those who want to Deodex a Single Application manually.
Deodex And Odex:
The APKs or JARs of Android contain certain .odex files whose supposed function is to save space. These ‘odex’ files are actually collections of parts of an application that are optimized before booting. Doing so speeds up the boot process, as it preloads part of an application. On the other hand, it also makes hacking those applications difficult because a part of the coding has already been extracted to another location before execution.It will make your faster theoretically even though it would be too small to notice.When deodexing the .odex file is changed to classes.dex file. Deodexing also allows us to theme and install mods.Many of the Stock Roms and CyanogenMod 7 roms are now odexed and to theme them or to add mods we need to have it deodexed. So lets learn how!!
Deodexing:
Preparation:
Hope you have Java Development Kit installed on your computer to run the scripts.Get it from: here.Select you OS from the list and download the suitable package.(We would need the full thing and not the Demo versions.)
Download the Attached .zip File
Extract its Contents to a Folder.(Extracting to a New Folder in the Desktop is Preferred for Ease)
We will name this Folder with the Extracted Contents as Deodex(or any name that you like)
Procedure And Explanations:
First of all copy the Application file that you need to Deodex.A Android Application file is the .apk file found in the system/app directory.Copy the .apk file and the .odex file of the application that you want to Deodex and paste in the Deodex folder(Folder to which the attachment's contents was extracted)
Now go to your system/framework directory and you can see a lot of .jar and .odex files in this folder and copy all its contents to the folder to which the attachment's contents was extracted.
Before doing anything more backup your rom and the application file(If anything goes wrong you can use it then)
To Deodex a application you need to specify its "BOOTCLASSPATH" files. BOOTCLASSPATH are files that contain the classes for an application or in simple language BOOTCLASSPATH files are those files that are required by a android application to run properly. They are actually those files that we have copied from the system/framework directory to our Deodex folder. There are mainly 5 BOOTCLASSPATH files for every android rom.They are: android.policy.jar , core.jar , bouncycastle.jar , ext.jar , framework.jar
All apps are dependent on these files but some apps are dependent on some other BOOTCLASSPATH files.So sometimes the problem is that we actually dont know to which of these files is a particular app dependent to.So we will have to specify all the BOOTCLASSPATH files or the .jar files in the system/framework directory.So problem solved!! Now enough with the theory class,lets proceed to the practical classes!!!!!
Open Command Prompt.
As an example we will Deodex Settings.apk
Type in this command in Command Prompt:
Code:
java -Xmx1024m -jar baksmali.jar -c :am.jar:android.policy.jar:android.test.runner.jar:bmgr.jar:bouncycastle.jar:
com.android.location.provider.jar:com.google.android.maps.jar:sonyericsson.suquashi.jar:
core.jar:corej-unit.jar:ext.jar:framework.jar:ime.jar:input.jar:java.awt.jar:javax.obex.jar:monkey.jar:pm.jar:
:services.jar:sqlite-jdbc.jar:svc.jar -x Settings.odex
Here:
-Xmx says the heap memory needed.In the above command it is given to 1024m. Sometimes deodexing may have errors due to the low heap memory.So set it to 1024m itself.
-jar baksmali.jar says the program to run baksmali.jar file.
-c says that the following files are the BOOTCLASSPATH files of the application we are deodexing.
-x says the name of the application that we are deodexing.It should end with .odex extension.
Note:
When you specify the .jar files just add all those .jar file names in the system/framework folder(only add the .jar files and not the .odex files).Ensure that you have added the .jar extension at the end of each file. Separate the .jar files with colon " : " symbol.
If you have made no spelling errors and have done everything mentioned you will get a folder named "out".
Now we have to smali the out folder into classes.dex file.
So again type in the Command Prompt:
Code:
java -Xmx1024m -jar smali.jar out -o classes.dex
Here:
-o says what the output file should me named to.Dont rename the classes.dex file into anything else.
Now you will have a file in our Deodex folder(Folder to which the attachment's contents was extracted) called "classes.dex".
Finalizing:
Now open the application's .apk file(which you were trying to deodex) with WinRar.
Move the classes.dex file that you got to this .apk file.(Just drag and drop it to the .apk file opened with WinRar.)
Now you will have a deodexed .apk file.
Note: After deodexing you will have to delete the .odex file of the particular application which you had deodexed.
I will make a guide to Odex back a Deodexed application soon!
Hope this guide helps you....
For any doubts or questions please post it here in this forum and I will try to attend to it.........

Re: Deodex A Single Application
Thanks bro..
Good tut..
sent from my phone using hands and brain...

thanks

Re: Deodex A Single Application
Good tut...
But quite long
Sent from my W8 using xda app-developers app

hey...nice tutorial and nice explanation :good:
thanks

Re: Deodex A Single Application
But helpful too...
sent from my phone using hands and brain...

Gogeta said:
Good tut...
But quite long
Sent from my W8 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made it long so that everyone understands.Even those who are very new to android

i'm stucked when i try to deodex settings.odex..
any suggestions???

Hidzrie said:
i'm stucked when i try to deodex settings.odex..
any suggestions???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you must deodex
settings.apk + settings.odex.....

i've already follow exactly like the tutorial above but cmd just stucked...
in 'out' folder there are \com\android\settings\ folder and these files were in it and nothing more:
AccessibilitySettings$1.smali
AccessibilitySettings$2.smali
AccessibilitySettings$3.smali
AccessibilitySettings$4.smali
AccessibilitySettings$5.smali
AccessibilitySettings$6.smali
AccessibilitySettings.smali
please anyone help..

Credit/thanks: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1208320 ?

Hidzrie said:
i've already follow exactly like the tutorial above but cmd just stucked...
in 'out' folder there are \com\android\settings\ folder and these files were in it and nothing more:
AccessibilitySettings$1.smali
AccessibilitySettings$2.smali
AccessibilitySettings$3.smali
AccessibilitySettings$4.smali
AccessibilitySettings$5.smali
AccessibilitySettings$6.smali
AccessibilitySettings.smali
please anyone help..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
follow the highlighted lines and try again and deodexing takes time according to your computer's ram.so be patient.if you still cant do it then just upload the system=>framework folder and the app you want to deodex and its odex file and Private Message me the links. I will check whats the problem.

L_S said:
Credit/thanks: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1208320 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this can be found in the android sources site but it not so easy to understand for beginners so i made it a little easier to understand and i didnt refer that guide because all is clearly written in the android sources site.

i understood why some of you are making mistakes when trying to deodex a apk or jar file.
its because you are copying exactly the same bootclasspath files that i specified in the guide.
it varies depending on your device and your rom. So I have made some changes in my guide.some lines are highlighted in red.
follow those lines.

Hidzrie said:
i'm stucked when i try to deodex settings.odex..
any suggestions???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Specify your device and rom that you use. Are you sure that you followed what i told itself? Try it once more as I have made some more changes in the guide to help you guys.
Still if you cant do it then just copy your framework folder and the apk and .odex file that you want to deodex and pm me. I will try to deodex it.

fotak-x said:
you must deodex
settings.apk + settings.odex.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no fotak we dont need to deodex settings.apk. We only need to deodex the .odex file but we will have to keep the apk file also in the same folder.

Leon1234 said:
Specify your device and rom that you use. Are you sure that you followed what i told itself? Try it once more as I have made some more changes in the guide to help you guys.
Still if you cant do it then just copy your framework folder and the apk and .odex file that you want to deodex and pm me. I will try to deodex it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using samsung gt-s5830i.. Rom simplicity v4..
I've tried like many times..still wont work..

Hidzrie said:
I'm using samsung gt-s5830i.. Rom simplicity v4..
I've tried like many times..still wont work..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont worry,we can figure it our!
what error are you getting in command prompt?
can you give the lines that come up in command prompt?

Leon1234 said:
dont worry,we can figure it our!
what error are you getting in command prompt?
can you give the lines that come up in command prompt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are no error appear on cmd..
After I insert a command to deodex settings.odex and press enter, it just like nothing happen...

There are no error appear on cmd..
After I insert a command to deodex settings.odex and press enter, it just like nothing happen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you will have to wait for some time when deodexing depending on the ram of your device.
what is the ram of your computer?
and do you have java 7?

[Q] How to change the Androidmanifest.xml.file to make it install in sd card?

Hello guys,
I have been trying to change the manifest file to make it installable in sd card.. Everytime i change the file..and recomplile it is giving me parse Error..
This is what i done:---
1.) Extracted the Apk file with es file explorer..
2.) went to Androidmanifest.xml and edited like "" <manifest :androidinstalllocation="prefexternal">
3.Recompiled it..
Then parse error .. what am i doing wrong..please correct me..
Thanks in Advance
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

the "E" in preferExternal needs to be a capital letter
its perfer not pref
so it looks like this
android:installLocation="preferExternal"
you can also try changing it to to "auto"
This will install it on internal unless it is full but allows the app to be movable to sd card via system settings
also you will need to resign the app else you wont be able to install it

marcussmith2626 said:
the "E" in preferExternal needs to be a capital letter
its perfer not pref
so it looks like this
android:installLocation="preferExternal"
you can also try changing it to to "auto"
This will install it on internal unless it is full but allows the app to be movable to sd card via system settings
also you will need to resign the app else you wont be able to install it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.But i'm still getting a Parse error..Do i need to Use apktool or I can do it in my phone..?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

shyamSGY said:
Thanks.But i'm still getting a Parse error..Do i need to Use apktool or I can do it in my phone..?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
to edit any xml file you MUST decompile the apk - this means using a decompiler like apktool (there is apktool for mobile)
you cant simply unzip an apk to edit an xml file
you said you recompiled the apk - what you meant was you rezipped the apk which you cannot do
you can only unzip and rezip and apk if you just change a png image - you cannot edit xmls this way

marcussmith2626 said:
to exit any xml file you MUST decompile the apk - this means using a decompiler like apktool (there is apktool for mobile)
you cant simply unzip an apk to exit apk an xml file
you said you recompiled the apk - what you meant was you rezipped the apk which you cannot do
you can only unzip and rezip and apk if you just change a png image - you cannot edit xmls this way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks dude..will try
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

marcussmith2626 said:
to edit any xml file you MUST decompile the apk - this means using a decompiler like apktool (there is apktool for mobile)
you cant simply unzip an apk to edit an xml file
you said you recompiled the apk - what you meant was you rezipped the apk which you cannot do
you can only unzip and rezip and apk if you just change a png image - you cannot edit xmls this way
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once I was trying to port a Armv7 game to v6..i changed the lib files and reziped..and it worked.. So changing lib files differs from editing xml files..it needs Apktool right?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

shyamSGY said:
Once I was trying to port a Armv7 game to v6..i changed the lib files and reziped..and it worked.. So changing lib files differs from editing xml files..it needs Apktool right?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lib files are different - you are not actually editing them - they are precompiled files
xmls need to be decompiled to edit then - you will notice if its not decompiled you might be able to see the first few lines and the rest will be all symbols and unreadable
you MUST decompile an apk to edit xml and smali files

marcussmith2626 said:
lib files are different - you are not actually editing them - they are precompiled files
xmls need to be decompiled to edit then - you will notice if its not decompiled you might be able to see the first few lines and the rest will be all symbols and unreadable
you MUST decompile an apk to edit xml and smali files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks again
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

marcussmith2626 said:
lib files are different - you are not actually editing them - they are precompiled files
xmls need to be decompiled to edit then - you will notice if its not decompiled you might be able to see the first few lines and the rest will be all symbols and unreadable
you MUST decompile an apk to edit xml and smali files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Apktool is asking For data..,where do i get it..?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

shyamSGY said:
The Apktool is asking For data..,where do i get it..?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its apktool for mobile follow the instructions from the thread
you point the app to folder on your sd card
load the framework-res.apk
see
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2488697
or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2388135

marcussmith2626 said:
if its apktool for mobile follow the instructions from the thread
you point the app to folder on your sd card
load the framework-res.apk
see
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2488697
or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2388135
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks it worked..
Sent from my GT-S5360

[Q]decompile settings.apk [SOLVED}

Hello,
Yesterday night I was trying to decompile Settings.apk with apktool...
Bt it was being unsuccessful on every try...
Showing errors, see attachments.
plz guide..
LINK: http://d-h.st/mk9

Try with another apk decompiling tools.

aniket.lamba said:
Try with another apk decompiling tools.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried with apkmanager... not wrking..
EDIT: Can I give u the apk to decompile.. as im noob in these things

Did you import "framework-res.apk" and "twframework-res.apk"?
If yes then are you using the same framework from the same rom of the "settings.apk" or your using settings.apk of other rom?
Sent from my GT-S5360 using Tapatalk 2

just load it up,together with your framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk,so we can help i hope.

-CALIBAN666- said:
just load it up,together with your framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk,so we can help i hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF, giving error while uploading zip.. :/

your first screenshot shows that you have not placed framework-res.apk in the location your command prompt is at
in other words you did not place framework-res.apk in the location c:\new folder
just as a tip - when working with dos prompt - never put a space in folder or file names - it doesnt like it

marcussmith2626 said:
your first screenshot shows that you have not placed framework-res.apk in the location your command prompt is at
in other words you did not place framework-res.apk in the location c:\new folder
just as a tip - when working with dos prompt - never put a space in folder or file names - it doesnt like it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, Ive placed two folders named 'apktool' and 'new folder'...
'apktool ' includes apkmultitool and new folder includes PY-APKTOOL, I found that here http:// http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=39697820&postcount=4 respectively.
Ive used apkmultitool as:
I renamed framework-res.apk as apktool if framework-res.apk and tried to decompile it. Bit i ve faced an error.
I could not install framework-res.apk in my computer..
Framework-res.apk:
I followed guide to decompile framework-res.apk from here [URL=" http://caliban666isaddicted.blogspot.in/2013/06/guide-for-change-platlogoeasytextmaybe.html?m=1" ] http://caliban666isaddicted.blogspot.in/2013/06/guide-for-change-platlogoeasytextmaybe.html?m=1 [/URL]
And done my modifications in framework-res.apk and installed it successfully.
While I was trying to decompile settings.apk, the errors were occuring..

crazysuraj said:
No, Ive placed two folders named 'apktool' and 'new folder'...
'apktool ' includes apkmultitool and new folder includes PY-APKTOOL, I found that here http:// http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=39697820&postcount=4 respectively.
Ive used apkmultitool as:
I renamed framework-res.apk as apktool if framework-res.apk and tried to decompile it. Bit i ve faced an error.
I could not install framework-res.apk in my computer..
Framework-res.apk:
I followed guide to decompile framework-res.apk from here [URL=" http://caliban666isaddicted.blogspot.in/2013/06/guide-for-change-platlogoeasytextmaybe.html?m=1" ] http://caliban666isaddicted.blogspot.in/2013/06/guide-for-change-platlogoeasytextmaybe.html?m=1 [/URL]
And done my modifications in framework-res.apk and installed it successfully.
While I was trying to decompile settings.apk, the errors were occuring..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont understand what you are doing with importing the framework
just do this
create a folder called apktool in the root of c: - in other words create a folder apktool so its location is c:\apktool
place framework-res.apk from the rom zip along with the apk you wish to decompile - in this case settings.apk in the folder apktool you have just created
open a command prompt as admin
type the following
cd c:\apktool
apktool if framework-res.apk
apktool d settings.apk settingsdecompiled

-CALIBAN666- said:
just load it up,together with your framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk,so we can help i hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive uploaded apks
Google Drive :LINKS REMOVED
UPDATED LINK: http://d-h.st/mk9
Thank You!

crazysuraj said:
Ive uploaded apks
Google Drive :LINKS REMOVED
UPDATED LINK: http://d-h.st/mk9
Thank You!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no problems with decompiling that apk
Its user error - make sure you are using apktool correctly - there is no point in uploading any decompiled files because you will not be able to recompile it if you dont learn how to use it including trying anything else in the future
here is a screen shot with all my commands
make sure you put framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk and settings.apk in the folder to which your command prompt is at - in my case its c:\apktool

marcussmith2626 said:
no problems with decompiling that apk
Its user error - make sure you are using apktool correctly - there is no point in uploading any decompiled files because you will not be able to recompile it if you dont learn how to use it including trying anything else in the future
here is a screen shot with all my commands
make sure you put framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk and settings.apk in the folder to which your command prompt is at - in my case its c:\apktool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes Sir,
Here, its my fault and I should have knowledge if I love modding
I have to learn more things about how to use apktool : rolleyes:
Thank You...!
regards.

marcussmith2626 said:
no problems with decompiling that apk
Its user error - make sure you are using apktool correctly - there is no point in uploading any decompiled files because you will not be able to recompile it if you dont learn how to use it including trying anything else in the future
here is a screen shot with all my commands
make sure you put framework-res.apk and twframework-res.apk and settings.apk in the folder to which your command prompt is at - in my case its c:\apktool
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this ??

crazysuraj said:
What is this ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it means you havent installed apktool correctly and/or not got java jdk installed as well
Java development tools (JDK)
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/ja...ads/index.html
Apktool
http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/downloads/list
Place both apktool files in C:\Windows\
see my thread here for a full picture guide to using apktool
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2206938
also why have you renamed your apks to apktool if framework-res and so on in your screenshot thats a big no - do not rename your apk files
they should just be called framework-res.apk settings.apk and twframework.apk
you have renamed them to commands you type into a command prompt and I dont understand why you have done that!
you type in the command prompt apktool if framework-res.apk - you do not rename any files

marcussmith2626 said:
it means you havent installed apktool correctly and/or not got java jdk installed as well
Java development tools (JDK)
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/ja...ads/index.html
Apktool
http://code.google.com/p/android-apktool/downloads/list
Place both apktool files in C:\Windows\
see my thread here for a full picture guide to using apktool
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2206938
also why have you renamed your apks to apktool if framework-res and so on in your screenshot thats a big no - do not rename your apk files
they should just be called framework-res.apk settings.apk and twframework.apk
you have renamed them to commands you type into a command prompt and I dont understand why you have done that!
you type in the command prompt apktool if framework-res.apk - you do not rename any files
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG!

crazysuraj said:
OMG!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well done you have decompiled settings.apk to a folder called settings
make sure you use notepad++ to edit any xml files (different from windows notepad)
http://notepad-plus-plus.org/download/v6.6.3.html
to recompile just type
apktool b settings newsettings.apk
and it will recompile the folder to an apk called newsettings.apk (assuming no errors have been made in modding files)
you can then rename this apk back to settings.apk and sign it if required (if you have edited the androidmanifest you need to sign the apk) - you can use zipsigner from the playstore to sign apks if you need to - use a testkey for non system apps and a platform key for system apps

[Q]When we need copy file/folder from original apk after modified?

Sometime in mod guide.. we need to copy file/folder in original apk after modified... like androidmanifest.xml/classes.dex/etc.. so my question is when we need to copy it?

I only copy meta-inf and androidmanifest to the build folder (you need to compile the folder to get the build folder and then recompile again after placing files there) if im not resigning the apk

marcussmith2626 said:
I only copy meta-inf and androidmanifest to the build folder (you need to compile the folder to get the build folder and then recompile again after placing files there) if im not resigning the apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you want to say that if copy meta-inf and androidmanifest to modded apk, we dont need sign apk.. that what you mean?

EpullSalvatrucha said:
so you want to say that if copy meta-inf and androidmanifest to modded apk, we dont need sign apk.. that what you mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you only have to resign an apk if you edit the adroidmanifest

marcussmith2626 said:
you only have to resign an apk if you edit the adroidmanifest
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But in this guide forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018688 the additional instruction said copy classes.dex from original unmodified apk and paste it in modified apk.. when this step is necessary?

EpullSalvatrucha said:
But in this guide forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2018688 the additional instruction said copy classes.dex from original unmodified apk and paste it in modified apk.. when this step is necessary?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not with apktool - iv never touched classes.dex
just resign the apk if it doesnt install